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Swiping down in the home screen only brings notifications. How do you search?
If your screen doesn't look like the one below after swiping down in the center of the Home screen when the iPad is unlocked, could you post a screenshot?

Search with iPad​

  1. Swipe down from the middle of the Home Screen.
  2. Tap the search field, then enter what you’re looking for.
  3. Do any of the following:
    • Hide the keyboard and see more results on the screen: Tap Go.
    • Open a suggested app: Tap it.
    • Get more information about a search suggestion: Tap it, then tap one of the results to open it.
    • Start a new search: Tap
      the Clear Text button
      in the search field.1613591949061.png

 
There's a touch to it so that you're not pulling down the notification center. Try swiping a little below the top edge of the screen instead of at the very top. This may take a little practice.
 
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